Several years of growth in organic exports have been put on temporary pause.

Økologisk Nu
Several years of growth in organic exports have been put on temporary pause.

Despite positive reports of growth and progress in the key Central European export markets, which together accounted for 76% of exports, Denmark’s organic exports fell by 2% in 2025. In value terms, Denmark exported organic goods worth DKK 3.57 billion, compared with DKK 3.65 billion the previous year. This is shown by new figures on foreign trade in organic goods from Statistics Denmark. The figures also show that imports rose by 14%, from DKK 4.4 billion in 2024 to DKK 5.0 billion in 2025. This means that Denmark’s deficit in trade with foreign countries doubled from DKK 0.7 billion in 2024 to DKK 1.4 billion in 2025. Dennis Hvam, international market manager at the Danish Organic Association, is somewhat surprised by the decline in exports, as most of the key Central European export countries have recently reported positive trends in retail sales of organic food. A lone swallow He therefore expects the decline in exports to be a temporary setback and that the positive signals from abroad will already manifest themselves in increased Danish exports this year. “There is a very positive mood in our important neighboring markets. I experience this across the board in the many discussions we have with stakeholders in both the retail sector and the professional food-service sector,” says Dennis Hvam by phone from Vienna, where he is participating in a major workshop. The workshop is intended to demonstrate how Austria’s professional kitchens can, following the Danish example, use Danish organic pulses in the transition to a more plant-based diet, according to a press release from the Danish Organic Association. “We will do everything we can to support Danish companies’ export activities,” says Dennis Hvam, who explains that the Danish Organic Association already has several activities in the pipeline for 2027 targeting several of the most interesting markets. Decline in Germany Germany is the world’s second-largest market for organic goods and by far the most important export market for Danish companies, accounting for approximately 47% of Danish exports. In that light, Dennis Hvam regrets that the new export statistics show a 4.7% decline in sales of Danish organic goods south of the border. This corresponds to a decrease of DKK 82 million, but in his assessment the decline may be due to Danish companies not yet having fully adapted to changes in German shopping patterns, which are moving toward increased sales through nationwide grocery chains. This is happening at the expense of specialty stores, which have many Danish producers as suppliers. Across all export markets, dairy products and eggs remain the largest product group, with sales of DKK 1.1 billion. This corresponds to 30% of Denmark’s total exports. Exports of meat and meat products fell by 11% to DKK 564 million, while exports of fruit and vegetables amounted to DKK 536 million, the same level as the previous year. The category of other food products, which mainly covers infant formula, fell by 22%, from DKK 480 million in 2024 to DKK 373 million in 2025. Next stop: Biofach “The markets in the German-speaking countries are characterized by considerable complexity, for example when it comes to volume requirements and trading conditions. This is one of the areas where we need to advise particularly smaller companies,” says Dennis Hvam. The Danish Organic Association also has activities aimed at the Swedish market, which imported Danish organic goods worth DKK 488 million in 2025. This corresponds to growth of 18% compared with the previous year. Sweden thus retained its position as Denmark’s second-largest export market for organic goods. “There is considerable, current optimism in the Swedish organic market, where, after several years of decline, we are seeing a welcome turning point with double-digit sales growth. This opens doors for Danish companies, and we are ready to help them find their way across the Øresund,” says Dennis Hvam. Need for more resources The government has an ambition for organic exports to reach DKK 5.8 billion by 2030. According to the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, this indicates that stronger export efforts are needed to reach the target and create the basis for more organic production in Denmark. “If more farmers are to invest in organic production, there must also be customers for the goods. That is why exports are important for farmers’ businesses and for achieving the political goals of more organic production,” says Kirsten Lund Jensen, sector director for organic production at the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, in a press release.

Despite positive reports of growth and progress in the most important Central European export markets, which together accounted for 76 pct. of exports, Denmark’s organic exports fell by 2 pct. in 2025.

Measured in value, Denmark exported organic goods worth DKK 3.57 billion, compared with DKK 3.65 billion the previous year. This is shown by new figures on foreign trade in organic goods from Statistics Denmark. The figures also show that imports rose by 14 pct. from DKK 4.4 billion in 2024 to DKK 5.0 billion in 2025. This means that Denmark’s trade deficit with foreign countries doubled from DKK 0.7 billion in 2024 to DKK 1.4 billion in 2025.

Dennis Hvam, international market manager at the Danish Organic Association, is somewhat surprised by the decline in exports, as most of the key Central European export countries have recently reported positive trends in retail sales of organic food.

A lone swallow

He therefore expects the decline in exports to be a lone swallow, and that the positive signals from abroad will already manifest themselves in increased Danish exports this year.

"There is a very positive mood in our important neighbouring markets. I experience this all the way around in the many dialogues we have with players in both the retail sector and the professional foodservice sector," says Dennis Hvam by telephone from Vienna, where he is participating in a major workshop.

It will demonstrate how Austrian professional kitchens, following the Danish example, can use Danish organic pulses in the transition to a more plant-based diet, according to a press release from the Danish Organic Association.

"We will do everything we can to support the export activities of Danish companies," says Dennis Hvam, who states that the Danish Organic Association already has several activities in the pipeline in 2027 aimed at several of the most interesting markets.

Decline in Germany

Germany is the world’s second-largest market for organic goods and by far the most important export market for Danish companies, as the country accounts for approx. 47 pct. of Danish exports.

In this light, Dennis Hvam regrets that the new export statistics show a 4.7 pct. decline in sales of Danish organic goods south of the border. This corresponds to a decline of DKK 82 million, but in his assessment the decline may be due to the Danish companies not yet having fully adapted to changes in Germans’ shopping patterns, which are moving towards increased sales through nationwide grocery chains. This is happening at the expense of specialist retailers, which have many Danish producers as suppliers.

Across all export markets, dairy products and eggs remain the largest product group, with a turnover of DKK 1.1 billion. This corresponds to 30 pct. of Denmark’s total exports.

Exports of meat and meat products fell by 11 pct. to DKK 564 million, while exports of fruit and vegetables amounted to DKK 536 million, which is at the same level as the previous year. The category other foodstuffs, which primarily covers infant formula, fell by 22 pct. from DKK 480 million in 2024 to DKK 373 million in 2025.

Next stop Biofach

”The markets in the German-speaking countries are characterised by great complexity, for example when it comes to volume requirements and terms of trade. This is one of the areas where we need to advise especially smaller companies,” says Dennis Hvam.

The Danish Organic Association also has activities aimed at the Swedish market, which imported Danish organic goods worth DKK 488 million in 2025. This corresponds to growth of 18 pct. compared with the previous year. Sweden thereby defended its position as Denmark’s second-largest export market for Danish organic goods.

”There is great, current optimism in the Swedish organic market, where after several years of decline, a welcome turning point is being experienced with double-digit sales growth. This opens doors for Danish companies, which we are ready to help find their way across the Øresund,” says Dennis Hvam.

Need for more resources

The government has an ambition for organic exports to reach DKK 5.8 billion in 2030. According to the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, this indicates that a strengthened export effort is important to achieve the target and create the basis for more organic production in Denmark.

"If more farmers are to invest in organic production, there must also be customers for the goods. Therefore, exports are important for the farmers’ businesses and for achieving the political objectives of more organic production, says Kirsten Lund Jensen, sector director for organic production at the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, in a press release.